How to Sell a Business in Australia: Costs, Brokers and What to Expect

Selling a business is one of the biggest financial decisions a business owner will make. Yet most owners have never sold a business before and often start with the same questions:

• How much does it cost to sell a business?
• Do I need a business broker?
• Who is the best broker to sell my business?
• How long does it take to sell?

This guide explains how selling a business in Australia typically works, what business brokers charge, and how modern brokerages like Bonza differ from traditional models.

Bonza Business & Franchise Sales is an Australian business brokerage specialising in the sale of small to medium businesses across hospitality, retail, service, trades, ecommerce and professional industries.

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Quick Answers: Selling a Business in Australia

How much does it cost to sell a business in Australia?
Most business brokers charge between 8% and 12% commission. Bonza charges 4% commission, which significantly reduces selling costs.

Do I need a business broker to sell my business?
No, but many owners use a broker to manage buyer enquiries, negotiations, confidentiality and marketing.

How long does it take to sell a business?
Most businesses in Australia take 4 to 9 months to sell, depending on the industry, price expectations and buyer demand.

What is the best business broker to sell a business?
The best broker depends on factors such as buyer reach, commission structure, marketing exposure and experience selling similar businesses.

What types of businesses sell most often?
Common industries include cafes, retail stores, service businesses, trades, ecommerce companies, professional services and manufacturing businesses.

How Much Does It Cost to Sell a Business in Australia?

Most business brokers charge a commission based on the final sale price of the business.

Traditional broker commissions in Australia typically range between 8% and 12%, depending on the business size and brokerage.

Below is a simple example of how commissions compare.

Example Commission Comparison

Sale Price: $200,000
Traditional Broker (10%): $20,000
Bonza (4%): $8,000
Potential Saving: $12,000

Sale Price: $500,000
Traditional Broker (10%): $50,000
Bonza (4%): $20,000
Potential Saving: $30,000

Sale Price: $1,000,000
Traditional Broker (10%): $100,000
Bonza (4%): $40,000
Potential Saving: $60,000

For many business owners, the commission difference alone can be substantial.

But cost is only one factor. The structure of the brokerage also affects how quickly buyers respond and how effectively the business is marketed.

What Do Business Brokers Actually Do?

A good business broker manages the entire sales process, including:

• Business appraisal and pricing guidance
• Preparing marketing materials
• Advertising the business across major marketplaces
• Handling buyer enquiries
• Screening potential buyers
• Managing negotiations
• Assisting with due diligence
• Coordinating the sale through to settlement

The goal is to connect the business with qualified buyers while keeping the process confidential and organised.

How Bonza Differs From Traditional Business Brokers

The biggest difference between Bonza and traditional brokerages is the team-based structure.

Traditional brokers often handle every part of the process themselves, including:

• Finding new clients
• Preparing marketing
• Listing businesses
• Responding to buyer enquiries
• Managing administration
• Negotiating deals

Because the same broker must juggle all of these tasks, they often become time-poor, especially when they have multiple listings.

This structure can create a common problem in the industry.

Selling a $250,000 business often requires a similar amount of time and effort as selling a $2,500,000 business.

When brokers are stretched for time, it is easy to see where their focus may naturally go.

Bonza was designed differently.

Our brokerage operates with specialised roles:

Business Consultants
Work with owners to understand the business and determine the best strategy.

Marketing Specialists
Prepare the advertising, listings and marketing materials.

Transaction Brokers
Focus solely on negotiations and getting deals completed.

Automated Buyer Enquiry System
Responds quickly to buyer enquiries and distributes information efficiently.

Because our brokers focus only on deal-making, they have more time to service every client equally.

What Types of Businesses Do Bonza Sell?

Bonza sells businesses across a wide range of industries throughout Australia.

Some of the most common industries include:

Hospitality
Cafes, restaurants, takeaway stores and coffee shops.

Retail
Brick-and-mortar retail stores and specialty shops.

Service Businesses
Cleaning companies, maintenance services and home services.

Trades
Electrical, plumbing, mechanical workshops and construction businesses.

Health and Beauty
Hair salons, beauty clinics and wellness businesses.

Professional Services
Accounting firms, consulting businesses and agencies.

Ecommerce Businesses
Online stores, digital brands and subscription-based businesses.

Manufacturing and Wholesale
Product manufacturing and distribution companies.

While these industries are common, Bonza works with businesses of all types and sizes.

How Long Does It Take to Sell a Business?

Selling a business rarely happens overnight.

For most small to medium businesses in Australia, the typical timeframe is:

4 to 9 months

This timeframe can vary depending on factors such as:

• Industry demand
• Business profitability
• Price expectations
• Buyer availability
• Economic conditions

One common misconception is that buyer interest appears gradually over time.

In reality, the process is often uneven. Many listings experience periods of little activity followed by a sudden surge when the right buyer discovers the opportunity.

Questions Business Owners Should Ask a Broker

If you are speaking with business brokers, it is worth asking a few important questions:

How many buyers do you reach each month?

Where will my business be advertised?

What commission do you charge?

What is the average time it takes you to sell a business?

How will buyer enquiries be handled?

And one particularly important question:

If my business is worth $200,000, why will you give my business the time it needs to sell compared with a $2,500,000 listing?

The answers to these questions can reveal a lot about how the brokerage operates.

The Bottom Line

Selling a business is not just about choosing the cheapest broker.

It is about choosing a process and brokerage structure that gives your business the best chance of finding the right buyer.

Bonza was built to offer Australian business owners a modern alternative to the traditional brokerage model, combining:

• A team-based sales structure
• Strong buyer reach
• Faster enquiry response
• Transparent pricing
• Lower commission

Thinking About Selling Your Business?

If you are considering selling your business in the next 6–12 months, the first step is understanding what it may be worth.

Bonza offers a free, no-obligation business appraisal to help owners understand their options before making any decisions.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do business brokers charge in Australia?
Most business brokers charge between 8% and 12% commission depending on the business size and brokerage.

Is it worth using a business broker?
For many owners, a broker helps manage buyer enquiries, negotiations and confidentiality while connecting the business with a larger pool of potential buyers.

How long does it take to sell a business?
Most businesses take between 4 and 9 months to sell, although this varies by industry and price expectations.

Can I sell my business without a broker?
Yes, but many owners choose a broker because the process can involve marketing, buyer qualification, negotiations and legal coordination.

What types of businesses sell most easily?
Businesses with strong financial records, stable profits and clear operating systems tend to attract the most buyer interest.

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